M32.15 vs N16
M32.15 (Tubulo-interstitial nephropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus) compared with N16 (Renal tubulo-interstitial disorders in diseases classified elsewhere), from the official CMS tabular data. Do not report these codes together: the official tabular list marks them Excludes1.
Can these codes be reported together?
No — do not report together. N16 carries an Excludes1 note covering M32.15: “pyelonephritis and tubulo-interstitial nephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus (M32.15)”
Sole exception: when the two conditions are documented as unrelated to each other (ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).
Side by side
| M32.15Tubulo-interstitial nephropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus | N16Renal tubulo-interstitial disorders in diseases classified elsewhere | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing status | Billable | Billable |
| Classification | M00-M99 — Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue (M00-M99) | N00-N99 — Diseases of the Genitourinary System (N00-N99) |
| Definition | Tubulo-interstitial nephropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (M32.15). | Renal tubulo-interstitial disorders in diseases classified elsewhere is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (N16). |
| Includes | autoimmune disease NOS collagen (vascular) disease NOS systemic autoimmune disease systemic collagen (vascular) disease | pyelonephritis Pyelonephritis Tubulo-interstitial nephritis |
| Code first | — | underlying disease, such as: brucellosis (A23.0-A23.9) |
Derived from the official CMS ICD-10-CM tabular data (FY2026). Not billing advice; verify sequencing rules for the encounter. All data sources